Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 23 May 2024
Mr. Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Former State President of BJP-ANI, has appealed to the central government to address the soaring airfares on the Port Blair to Chennai route. In a letter addressed to Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Amit Shah and Hon’ble Union Minister for Civil Aviation Mr. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Jolly highlighted the urgent need for intervention to curb the high airfares that currently range between Rs. 22,000 and Rs. 25,000.
Mr. Jolly emphasised the severe impact these exorbitant fares have on the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He noted that many Islanders have roots in South India and frequently travel to their native places during vacation periods. Additionally, the lack of specialized medical treatment facilities in the Islands forces residents to travel to Chennai for healthcare needs.
In his letter, Jolly also pointed out that a significant number of students from the Islands pursue higher education in various states. The business community, too, relies heavily on regular and affordable flights to major cities like Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Hyderabad to maintain smooth operations and ensure an uninterrupted supply chain.
Furthermore, Mr. Jolly warned that the tourism industry, a vital sector for the Islands’ economy, could suffer due to the high airfares. The industry, which showcases the serene beauty of the Islands, would be undermined if tourists find travel costs prohibitive.
He highlighted that all necessary equipment and infrastructure for night landing operations at Veer Savarkar International Airport have recently been installed, paving the way for airlines to start night flights.
Drawing attention to the previous system of chartered flights between Chennai and Kolkata, which offered a flat airfare of Rs. 5400 for Islanders, Jolly urged the reinstatement of this arrangement. He stressed that airfares should be reduced to a reasonable level, between Rs. 5000 and Rs. 6000, to prevent economic exploitation of the Islanders.
In conclusion, Mr. Jolly requested the Union Ministers to take all necessary steps to reduce airfares and to restart chartered flights for the Islanders on the Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad sectors. His appeal underscores the critical need for affordable air travel to support the well-being and economic stability of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ residents.